Hi Autocar, I currently own a Santro and now want to upgrade to an SUV. My budget is around Rs 13 lakh. My monthly running is around 2,500 km, with about 1,500 km on expressways and the rest in the city. Kindly suggest which car I should buy.

Autocar India

•15h

While there are a fair few options within your budget, we'll narrow the list down to models that can be had in mid-spec and above form. After all you don't want to pay Rs. 15 lakh and feel shortchanged on feel good features. Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet and Kia Syros use the same 115hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine. The engine is pleasant and comes paired to a smooth 6-speed manual gearbox as standard. However, it's the 6-speed torque converter automatic version that we'd recommend you opt for. The gearbox is well in tune with the engine's characteristics, and what you get is a very polished drive experience. Of the three, the Hyundai Venue is the best all rounder but is on the pricey side for what you get. The Kia Syros is easily the roomiest and feels most premium inside too. A firm ride does take away from the experience, though. The Sonet is the oldest of the lot but still holds its own in quality, tech and features. In fact, the Sonet that's in its run out phase (the next-gen Sonet comes in a few months) is available at very tempting prices without feeling like a last-gen model. If you like the robust build of your VW Polo, you might find a good replacement in the Mahindra XUV 3XO. There's a toughness to the package, and ride and handling are very well sorted. Go for the manual, though. The AMT is not great.

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet

Kia Syros

Autocar India

•15h

Mostly city use, a Rs.15 lakh budget and a focus on low running costs, point straight to the Maruti Suzuki Brezza. It fits your brief for long-term reliability, low maintenance and service costs, and good fuel efficiency. It is a size up from the Tata Punch/Hyundai Exter segment, but is still manageable in the city while feeling stable on the highway.Why it fits: service and parts costs are among the lowest in the class, and Maruti’s service network is widespread, so upkeep stays simple for years. The petrol engine and torque convertor auto are smooth in traffic and remains efficient if driven with a light foot. Cabin space is good for five, the rear seat is comfortable, and the boot is useful for the occasional weekend trip.Trade-offs: the cabin does not feel particularly premium, and the engine lacks the punch of a turbo-petrol on the highway. It is also worth noting that a facelift for the Brezza is expected towards the end of the year, possibly with a turbo-petrol engine. Alternatively, consider the Hyundai Venue 1.0 DCT if you want a more modern cabin and stronger highway performance.Overall, for city-first use and long-term peace of mind, the Brezza is a good fit.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Hyundai Venue

Hyundai Exter

Tata Punch

Autocar India

•17h

For your usage, the Venue Turbo-Petrol DCT should be fine. The scary DCT stories usually come from long, very slow traffic in peak heat where drivers keep pressing the throttle to crawl, or from holding the car on an incline using throttle. In mixed use like yours, and with plenty of highway airflow, overheating is rare. Also, it is advisable to shift to 'N' when the car is at a standstill for a long duration or at a red light.Hyundai’s unit has been on sale for years across many cars in India, and while you will find some cases online, widespread failures are not common. In summary, you can go for it, without stressing too much.

Hyundai Venue